Donnelly expecting an Offaly tough test

By Katrina Brennan

KIERAN Donnelly believes they can come out on top of Sunday’s Division Three encounter against Offaly – but only if they play to their full potential.

Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly’s men are unbeaten in three and provide a formidable challenge against a Fermanagh side coming off the back of a disappointing two-point defeat to Clare.

The Erne County will again be without Ultán Kelm who is struggling with an ongoing hip injury and Luke Flanagan remains out of contention due to injury. Oisin Smyth was due to have the cast on his arm removed on Tuesday but the weekend’s game is likely to be a bit too soon for him.

The return of Sean Cassidy and Ryan Lyons is a boost for Donnelly and the availability of Ché Cullen, despite having relocated to Cork, is a major plus-point for the Ernemen.

The return of goalkeeper Sean McNally is also nearing with the Erne manager confirming he “will be pushing over the next week, definitely”. And he could do with them all at his disposal.

“This is against an Offaly team that are flying high, it’s going to be a tough assignment but again, I think they boys always respond well to a defeat.

“They trained well after the last game and Offaly is going to be coming on a bounce. They are backboned by their (2021) All-Ireland U-20 team, they have obviously put a big focus on pushing that younger squad through and their scorelines are reflective of their youth and their pace.

“They have a lot of quality. In their last game there, Jack Bryant and Dylan Hyland – all really prolific throughout the league scoring-wise. They have pace from deep in Cormac Egan who was on the UCD team, so they’re very much a mobile team.

“I do feel if we play to our ability, we’ve a good chance. It’s a home game, but we know Offaly is a good team but we will give it full focus like we always do and give it our best shot.”